Wednesday, February 29, 2012

So, it's not a Monday, but it is the end of the second month, and I thought I'd do a quick update just to see where I am with my goals so far.

The moment of truth:

1. Obtain the addresses, birth dates, and anniversary dates for all of my first cousins on both sides of my family … and names and birth dates of spouses and children. Oh and all my half siblings’ spouses and kids too.Still working on this one. Awaiting responses on 2 facebook messages and one letter. Received a response to one letter. Mailed out one more. Three to go.

3. Scan and label at least 15 photos and/or negatives each week, or until they are done, whichever happens first.

So far, so good. 58 photos/negatives scanned, labeled, and put in their appropriate folders in January, and 103 in February.

4. Attend at least two (2) genealogy conferences.

Hoping to attend FGS in Birmingham (which will depend on (1) a successful mediation of one of our cases, and (2) the federal trial calendar for the same case. Keeping my fingers crossed nonetheless. Also planning on attending the Family History Expo in Atlanta in November.

5. Give at least two (2) presentations to my genealogical society.

One down, one to go. I gave my "Online Genealogy Collaboration" presentation during our January 10th meeting. Still trying to decide on my next topic. I did also present two chapters from the Researcher's Guide to American Genealogy (Val Greenwood) to the Second Life Book Club on 2/28.

6. Index at least 200 records per month at FamilySearch Indexing.

I had to make up 100 records from January. Unfortunately, I didn't make it (thanks, scrapbooking). I only managed to index about 100 this month too. Guess I'll need to do 400 in March. I'm pretty sure I'll make up for any deficiencies (probably for the year) on April 2. :)

7. Add at least five (5) individual ancestor stories to my website.

Hmm ... I still haven't added any new ones. I'll make this a priority goal for March.

8. Blog at least twice per week.

I have a total of 10 blog posts for the month of February (including this one) ... barely squeaked by!

9. Finish reading Greenwood's "The Researcher's Guide to American Genealogy."

I have officially added ALL of my links to my toolbox. Now, I just have to keep up with that pesky "pending" folder.

Not a banner month, but I'm not complaining. At least I'm making a dent in the box o' photos that was in the closet.

I had at least one week during this month that I simply could not focus on my genealogy at all. After a thorough discussion with my Success Team, we realized that we were focusing more on the organizing and cleaning up process and less on the research, which was sort of leaching the fun out of it. So for one entire week we did nothing that we didn't consider "fun." I think it gave my motivation a little jump start, and now I think I'm back on track. So, thanks again Laura, for talking me down off the ledge.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

I didn't think it was possible to get any more excited about the 1940 census than I already was. Then I signed up to be a 1940 U.S. Census Ambassador, and I was accepted! I got the email on my phone today while I was at work and let out a "woo hoo!" Of course, my co-worker looked at me like I had two heads (again), so I had to tell her what all the hoopla was about. She had no idea that the census was being released on April 2.

This made me realize that there are SO many non-genealogists out there who not only have no idea that the census is being released in 33 days, but also don't know that they can be a critical part of ensuring that we tell the stories of the Greatest Generation and creating a valuable family history resource for roots-seekers all over the world!

So I will be doing my part to get the word out -- to genealogists and non-genealogists alike -- and encourage them to join the 1940 U.S. Census Community Project. Even though there are 132 million people on the 1940 census (the largest U.S. federal census yet to be released), I have a feeling we're going to break some records getting this one indexed. Who's with me??

How can you help? If you're a blogger, you can also become a 1940 U.S. Census Ambassador and help us spread the word. Blogger or not, everyone can help by volunteering to help index the 1940 census. It's easy! You just download the indexing software, type what you see, and voila! you're part of history. Are you member of a church or civic group, genealogical society, or any other group? Get your group to sign up together and help preserve and share the census records of the Greatest Generation!

Monday, February 27, 2012

While it isn't the first time I will find some of my living relatives on a census, I'm still very excited! All four of my grandparents were on the 1930 census - as small children - and on the 1940 census they will be grown, and both of my grandfathers will be getting ready to head off to fight in WWII.

So who are the people I will be focusing on for the 1940 census? These are mostly direct-line ancestors, but there are a few collateral folks in there too. I have a whole other list with even more collateral folks to look up, but these are my priority. Using the One-Step tools created by Steve Morse, I have already determined (hopefully) the enumeration district where they should be found, which should make things a little easier.

I have made plans to be off work for the entire day on April 2, and will be indexing my little fingers off. I will be checking blogs periodically until that day for other people's lists -- in addition to my own -- to see if I run across anyone else's folks while I'm indexing.

FamilySearch, Archives.com, and findmypast.com have joined together to make sure the 1940 census gets indexed and published as quickly as possible. If you haven't already, I strongly encourage you to join me as a volunteer indexer for the 1940 census. It's a great opportunity to give back (and get some research done in the process)!

Rosary will be said at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Gates Funeral
home by the Rev. Andrew Foley of Sacred Heart Church of Aberdeen. Rosary will also be said Wednesday evening at
the Schenck Funeral Home in Yankton.

Mrs. Chambers was born May 28, 1892 in Bon Homme
County. She was married to Louis P.
Lanctot at Yankton in 1913. They lived
in Yankton and in Wyoming. Mr. Lanctot
preceded her in death in 1922. In 1950,
she was married to E. A. Chambers at Yankton.
They had lived in Aberdeen since that time.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Some of you may (or may not) have noticed that I haven't been blogging as much this month. Well, that's because I found a new addiction. Not to worry - it won't shouldn't take too much time away from my genealogy research. In fact, it should complement it quite nicely.

What is it, you ask?

Scrapbooking!! (How hardcore am I?)

Oh, yes. Because one cannot have too many hobbies, right?

But I didn't stop there. No, no. I went ahead and started a new blog too! I can hear your heads shaking. Stop it.

Seriously though, I can see this adding some interest to my written family history, and hopefully can help me get to "know" some of my ancestors in the process.

Here are the first three pages I created: a two-page spread for my paternal grandfather's time in WWII, and a one-page spread for my paternal grandparents' lives together. These are on my other blog, but I'll post them here also.

I'm currently working on my maternal grandfather's page(s) and hope to have that done by the end of the week (at least that's what this weeks' goal list says).

Eventually, I expect I'll find a healthy balance between my now-dueling pastimes. In the meantime, this scrapbooking thing is FUN!

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Louis Schneider, 83, one of the few remaining pioneers of this city and a resident of Yankton and Bon Homme counties for 58 years, died at his home at 705 Pine street here at 11 o'clock yesterday morning following an illness of only three days complicated by old-age infirmities.

Schneider, who had been quite active despite his advanced years, had been in failing health nearly all summer, but had been working about his yard and attending to other duties until Thursday when he became ill. He rallied Saturday and members of the family were hopeful he would recuperate. Yesterday morning he was much weaker and after a brief rally passed away about 11:30 o'clock while members of the family were at his bedside.

Was Homesteader

Schneider was born Jan. 2, 1851, in Washington county, Ia. and came to Dakota territory in 1876. He homesteaded in Bon Homme county and a year later was married to Mary Egan. The couple lived on the homestead in Bon Homme county until 1898, with the exception of two years when they lived in Yankton.

In 1898 they moved to Yankton county, purchasing a farm near Utica. They resided on that farm until 1914 when Mr. and Mrs. Schneider retired, constructing a new home at 705 Pine street where he lived until his death.

Schneider was well known all over this section of the country and after his retirement devoted most of his time to his hobby of cultivating a large garden and raising broom corn and tobacco. He was quite successful with the latter crops despite the fact this climate is not conducive to their production, and he raised enough tobacco for his own use. This year, however, he did not cultivate as large a plot as formerly.

Large Family

He is survived by his widow, four sons, two daughters, 23 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. One son died in infancy. One sister and five brothers also are living.

His sons are Edward, Robert and Martin of Yankton and Charles of Casper, Wyo. Daughters are Mrs. Margaret Tester of Sioux City, formerly of Yankton, and Mrs. Alice Lanctot of Yankton. Mrs. Hugh Gunn of Scotland is a sister and brothers are William of Tyndall, George and Frank of Washington, Ia., and Eugene and Joe of Seattle. All but Eugene and Joe are here for the funeral, which is to be held from Sacred Heart church at 9 a. m. Tuesday. Kabeiseman and Donohoe mortuary is in charge.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Again has the heavy hand of death been laid upon our city, and one of our foremost citizens, Joseph Zenophile Lanctot, answered the dread summons, passing to his eternal reward on Monday, July 21, 1913, aged 52 years, 6 months, and 6 days. The cause of death was heart failure.

The deceased was a native of Canada, being born at LaPrairie, in the district of Montreal, on January 15, 1861. He came to the United States in 1877, settling in Mead, Nebraska, where he resided until 1883, when he came to Charles Mix county and filed upon land, moving to Armour in 1901, since which time he conducted the Armour House.He was united in the bond of wedlock to Miss Eliza Bourke, at Fremont, Nebraska, in 1881. Eight children were born to this union, five sons and three daughters; three sons and two daughters, together with the bereaved wife and mother, are left to mourn his loss. The surviving children are: Arthur, Mrs. F. Luchsinger, Louis, Mrs. L. H. Barnes and Elmer, to whom the heartfelt sympathy of our people go forth in their hour of trouble.

The funeral was held Tuesday morning at 10:30 from the Catholic church, of which faith deceased was a member, Rev. Father Keane officiating. The remains were intered [sic] in Pleasant Ridge cemetery and were followed to their last resting place by a large concourse of friends and neighbors.

-- Card of Thanks --

We wish to thank the friends and neighbors who assisted us during the illness and burial of our beloved husband and father; and for the beautiful floral tributes.

Saturday, February 11, 2012

In honor of National Inventor's Day, I thought I would shine the spotlight on my great grand uncle, Elmer Lanctot.

Elmer is the youngest son of my 2nd great grandfather, Joseph Zenophile Lanctot. He was born 30 August 1899 in Charles Mix County, South Dakota. He married Blanche D. Davis on 7 Jan 1920, and had two sons, Robert and William, and a daughter, Patricia. In 1951, he married Minnie Benson. He died 21 June 1973 in Mitchell, South Dakota and is buried at Graceland Cemetery.

On August 3, 1937, Elmer, in partnership with Henry G. and Anson F. Scharnweber of Mitchell, South Dakota, were issued patent number 2,088,753 for an "air cooling apparatus."

The invention was actually a series of improvements on the then current automobile air conditioner. It's principle purpose was to provide a system that was driven by the vehicle's engine and to make it less likely to malfunction.

I'm pretty sure it was quickly overcome by the next "new and improved" patent, but still ... it's a little bit cool, right?

Sunday, February 05, 2012

Louis Lanctot - he's the one with the big arrow pointing at him. I don't know who the other gentlemen are in the car

LOUIS P. LANCTOT

Yankton
Press & Dakotan.Yankton, South Dakota, 23 October 1922

Louis P. Lanctot, formerly of Yankton, was instnatly [sic]
killed near Casper, Wyo. Saturday afternoon, when a heavy auto truck, loaded
with lumber, turned over pinning him underneath. Such was the news that reached Louis
Schneider, of 705 Pine St., yesterday morning, who was the father-in-law of the
deceased. Mrs. Eliza Lanctot, mother of
Louis, and also a brother, Arthur, were in Yankton, as it happened, on their
way west and were notified of the tragedy just as they were leaving. The body will be brought to Yankton for
burial, arriving tomorrow night if connections are made.

Louis P. Lanctot was born in Saunders county,
Nebraska, Sept. 17, 1887 and was married at Sacred Heart church, this city, to
Miss Alice Schneider, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Schneider, of Pine street,
and they resided here for several years.
About five years ago Mr. Lanctot took up land five years ago Mrs.
Lanctot took up land in Wyoming, settling near Bucknam, 25 miles from Casper,
and his family joined him there. On
Saturday Mr. Lanctot drive to Casper for a load of lumber and on his return,
not far from Casper, his truck turned over,
It is understood here he was instantly killed or died very soon
afterwards. Mrs. Lanctot and four little
children, aged from one year to seven, survive.
In addition to these relatives Mr. Lanctot leaves his mother, Mrs. Eliza
Lanctot; three brother, Arthur and William of Armour; Elmer, of Parkston, and two
sisters, Mrs. Fred Lichsinger [Luchsinger], of Wyoming, Minn., and Mrs. L. H.
Barnes, of Armour. Mrs. Lanctot left
Casper today with the remains of her husband and funeral arrangements will be
made here after her arrival.

Friday, February 03, 2012

I stumbled across another website that I had saved quite some time ago and decided to dust it off and see what it could do. That website is MapMaker.

MapMaker is a product of BigHugeLabs, which has some other pretty neat tools - though I haven't really played with any of them yet.

The maps include the entire world, or specific regions (U.S., Europe, Asia, etc.), and all you have to do is check the boxes of the places you want identified on the map, and (as the website says) the map "automagically" updates. There are options to change colors and stuff, but I didn't mess with that -- mainly because I had no idea what I was doing. There's some of that newfangled HTML stuff on there for you high-techies.

The site says that you can "Create a map of places you've visited (or want to visit or dream about or know people from) and get HTML code that you can embed in your profile on Flickr, Facebook, My Space, your blog or any other web page." I thought to myself ... "self, why can't you make a map of where all the people in your tree have been born?" Self answered, "no reason." So I did. Here's what it looks like:

Search

Subscribe

Follow by Email

About

Paralegal by day, but my alter ego is a Genealogist. I have been working on my genealogy in fits and starts since about 1990, when my grandfather passed away and I inherited his research. I have just begun working through the NGS Home Study Course, well on my way toward genealogy certification.